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Contact Address

Office of Attorney Ethics
Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex
P.O. Box 963
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0963
609-403-7800
oae.mbx@njcourts.gov
Johanna Barba Jones , Director
609-403-7800

Ethics Compliance Hotline

Ethics Hotline Number: 609-815-2924.  Please leave a voicemail message and your call will be returned.

The Ethics Hotline is for Attorneys only and is for research assistance on legal ethics and advertising issues pertaining to their own, prospective conduct.

  • The hotline does not provide advice or opinions, and it does not discuss substantive law.
  • The call is confidential, but callers must provide their names and certify that they are New Jersey lawyers; the inquiry is for their own, prospective conduct, and they are not currently the subject of a disciplinary grievance or proceeding.
  • The hotline does not accept anonymous calls.
  • The hotline does not address calls from lawyers who seek guidance, advice, or opinion about whether another lawyer’s conduct violates the ethics rules.
  • See Court Rule R. 1:19-9 for more information.

Attorney Registration

Annual Attorney Registration
Pro Hac Vice Admission Requirements in NJ
In-House Counsel Admission Requirements in NJ
Multi-Jurisdictional Practice Admission Requirements in NJ
Foreign In-House Counsel Admission Requirements in NJ
 

Private Practice in NJ

To engage in private practice in New Jersey, you must:

  • Complete the Attorney Registration Statement and Pay the Annual Assessment
  • Fulfill the requirements of R. 1:21-6, including maintaining Trust and Business accounts at an Approved Trust Bank
  • Keep IOLTA-Compliant Trust Accounts R. 1:28A
  • Maintain liability insurance, and file a certificate of insurance with the Clerk of the Supreme Court if practicing specifically as a PC (R. 1:21-1A), or LLC (R. 1:21-1B), or LLP (R. 1:21-1C) 
  • If not practicing as a PC, LLC, or LLP but maintain liability insurance, file a certificate of insurance with the Clerk of the Supreme Court (R. 1:21-1D – hyperlink to Individuals or Partnerships Engaged in the Private Practice of Law; Reporting of Professional Liability Insurance | NJ Courts)

New Jersey Rules of Court

Attorneys should be familiar with ALL applicable rules, statutes, and regulations in any area of law they practice. That also includes their responsibilities regarding the rules and regulations of the practice of law which primarily include: 

File a Complaint Against a Judge

If your complaint deals with a Superior Court, Tax Court, Surrogate’s Court, or Municipal Court Judge, contact: 

Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct

By Phone:  609-815-2900 ext. 51910

By Fax:  Fax: 609-376-3092

By Email:  AOC-ACJCInfo.MBX@njcourts.gov

By Mail:

Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct
Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex
P.O. Box 037
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0037

Lawyers Assistance Program

The New Jersey Lawyers Assistance Program is the free and confidential resource assisting all NJ Lawyers, Judges, Law Students, and Law Graduates achieve and maintain personal and professional well-being.

For Assistance reach out to NJLAP at 800-246-5527

For details about the NJ Lawyers Assistance Program from the NJ Court Rules.
 

2024 Manual for New Jersey Attorney Trustees

The Office of Attorney Ethics has updated its manual for Attorney Trustees appointed in New Jersey to close out an attorney’s practice due to the attorney’s death, disbarment, abandonment of their practice or other reasons.